Special Education Education Support Professional 1:1 Access - Mt Tahoma

Tacoma Public Schools•Mount Tahoma High 4634 S. 74th St., WA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Tacoma Public Schools is hiring an Education Support Professional to provide one-on-one assistance to an assigned ninth-grade student with a disability during school activities and daily needs. The employee also assists a certificated teacher with instructional and non-instructional activities for the assigned student and, as time permits, other classroom students. The role supports students with a broad range of disabilities, including medical, orthopedic, developmental, physical, and behavioral needs, and may involve academic interventions and activities of daily living. The position is 0.8125 FTE, with 6.5 work hours plus a 30-minute duty-free lunch period, for a total of seven hours on campus. It is a 10-month position with 183 workdays. The expected start date is as soon as possible. Salary is listed as $29.50 for no degree, $30.25 for an associate degree, and $30.50 for a bachelor's degree or higher. The role requires completion of the state-mandated General Paraeducator Certificate. District-provided Fundamental Course of Study training totals 28 hours, with specified portions due within four or six months of hire, or by September 1 of the next school year. The general certificate is earned after completing ten days (70 clock hours) of professional development training. Duties include providing individual or small-group instruction as directed; assisting with personal care, mobility, safety, behavior, and medical needs as trained; supervising students; recording progress and maintaining communication and records; adapting materials and activities; using adaptive equipment and technology; and supporting classroom activities. The job may also involve field trips, off-site work supervision, specialized care tasks after training, and work in more than one classroom. This description is not an employment agreement or contract, and the District may change duties or assign other work.

Requirements

Associate degree, 72 semester credit hours of post-secondary education, or a passing state test demonstrating knowledge; equivalent combinations of education and experience may be evaluated by Human Resources.
Demonstrated ability to assist in instructing students.
One year of experience working with individuals with special needs who may have severe disabilities, or an equivalent combination of experience and training that meets federal and state requirements.
Complete the state-mandated General Paraeducator Certificate requirements, including district-provided Fundamental Course of Study training and required professional development.
CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to complete training within the first 90 days of employment.
Attend District restraint training and maintain certification.
Complete cleansing intermittent catheterization training if required.
Pass fingerprinting and WSP, FBI, and sexual misconduct background clearances.
Knowledge of assigned developmental, behavioral, and/or physical disabilities; assigned subject areas; basic learning styles; effective instructional methods for students with disabilities; and safe lifting and positioning methods.
Knowledge of basic sign language for designated positions.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, defuse conflict, de-escalate situations, and appropriately restrain students when necessary.
Ability to obtain, clarify, and exchange information and communicate and work effectively and collegially with staff, community members, and students, including students with special needs.
Ability to organize and coordinate activities; provide feeding, diapering, toileting, and other personal assistance; and respond sensitively to students who cannot communicate their needs.
Ability to establish and maintain effective civil and collegial working relationships in a multicultural, diverse socioeconomic setting.
Ability to demonstrate reliable attendance and work in inclement weather.
Ability to walk, sit, squat, crawl, kneel, bend, stoop, reach, and lift to attend to students' physical needs; lift up to 25 pounds individually and team-lift up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

Provide instruction to students individually or in small groups in assigned learning activities, following teacher direction and implementing activities assigned by specialists.
Assist students with sensory or physical disabilities and promote a safe environment conducive to instruction.
Support vocational training, job-hunting skills, job applications, and participation in learning activities as assigned.
Assist with self-care and activities of daily living, which may include feeding, dressing, toileting, diapering, hygiene, and other personal care.
Support students during seizures and other physical emergencies; use sensory stimulation and adaptive equipment; administer and log medications when assigned and properly trained.
Supervise students during recess, lunch, in locker rooms and restrooms, and during bus loading or unloading; provide transportation around school premises as needed.
Record student progress in data sheets and logs; prepare reports; maintain student records; collect data on academic progress, IEP goals, behavioral plans, and grooming plans; communicate with teachers, administrators, staff, and parents or guardians as assigned.
Reposition students with physical disabilities as needed and implement occupational or physical therapy activities as instructed by specialists.
Use and teach basic sign language as needed and monitor students to ensure their safety.
Prepare and serve student lunches or snacks and clean dishes, utensils, and eating areas as needed.
Model appropriate behavior, redirect inappropriate behavior, teach conflict resolution as directed, administer discipline under District guidelines, and assist with classroom management.
Help adapt instructional materials and activities, administer standardized tests as assigned, use specialized teaching techniques and software, and arrange classroom materials and furniture.
Accompany students on field trips, camp activities, off-site jobs, and general education classes as assigned; supervise and provide instruction as appropriate.
Participate in department staff meetings and provide information about students.
Use, adapt, maintain, and troubleshoot specialized adaptive equipment, computers, and software; coordinate and schedule student use of equipment as assigned.
Maintain reasonable, reliable, and regular attendance and follow District conduct rules regarding tardiness and unauthorized absences.
Raise concerns with appropriate teaching staff, therapy staff, or building administrators.
After required training, perform cleansing intermittent catheterizations or physical restraint of a student when applicable.
Provide classroom clerical support, duplicate materials, complete paperwork, supervise students during brief teacher breaks, and perform other related duties as assigned.